The Sichuan Tang Clan
Because we had hurried our steps since early morning, we managed to reach our destination of Chengdu before the sun went down. Chengdu, once called Pa Shu in ancient times, served as the heart of Yi Province. During the Three Kingdoms era, it had been the capital of Shu Han, established by Liu Bei. As a result, it ranked among the largest cities in Sichuan and essentially functioned as the region's governing hub. And right here in Chengdu stood the Sichuan Tang Clan, renowned as the greatest poison sect under the heavens.
"Whoa, it's incredible."
As we crested a high ridge road, the majestic panorama unfolding before me drew an involuntary gasp of awe. The landscape resembled a vast basin, much like the one around Hanzhong. Chengdu itself was encircled by stone walls and natural barriers in multiple layers, making the entire city look like one enormous fortress.
"It's been a while since I've been here," Dokgo Rin murmured beside me, her eyes growing nostalgic.
I turned to her. "When was the last time?"
"Probably four or five years ago. It was for my maternal grandfather's birthday."
"That is quite a long time."
I nodded, gazing toward the massive city gates visible in the distance. "Why is the line so incredibly long?"
"Then we'd better hurry. If the inspection drags on until after sunset, they won't let anyone in and will tell you to come back tomorrow."
"What? Really?!"
Her words instantly lit a fire under me. The same person who had been leisurely admiring the scenery moments ago now rushed to descend the hill as quickly as possible. Dokgo Rin let out a soft laugh.
"The inspection doesn't actually take that long, so there's no need to worry so much. And if it comes down to it, we can just use the Tang name."
With that, she pulled something from her robes. It was a luxurious wooden plaque adorned with rare decorations, the character Tang engraved prominently in the center.
"Everyone in Chengdu knows the Tang Clan's influence."
"Ooh…."
This must be what people mean by connections through geography, blood, or academia. Having backing really does make things easier.
"Anyway, if we're too late we might have to wait until tomorrow to visit the Sichuan Tang Clan, so let's pick up the pace."
"Right!"
I nodded at Dokgo Rin's words and began descending the slope alongside her.
By the time we reached the city gates, the sun was slowly sinking behind the mountain ridges. Just as Dokgo Rin had said, the inspection at the gates went much faster than expected. Unless someone had a truly serious issue, they were waved through almost like a free pass.
"Next!"
Finally, our turn had come. The guards with their overbearing attitudes looked us up and down, searching for anything suspicious, but we carried nothing that would cause problems. One of the soldiers stared intently at Dokgo Rin, whose face was veiled in black gauze, and asked,
"What is your business in Chengdu?"
Dokgo Rin answered calmly. "We've come to visit my maternal family."
She presented the wooden plaque she had shown me earlier. The guard's eyes widened at the character Tang carved into it. He flinched, then immediately stepped aside and opened the way.
"Please, enter."
The abrupt shift from extreme arrogance to sudden politeness felt strangely surreal. Was this the power of authority? Meanwhile, Dokgo Rin strode past the guards as if it were the most natural thing in the world, showing no particular reaction. Thanks to her, we entered the city without any hassle and headed straight for the Sichuan Tang Clan.
We followed the wide main road until the alleys gradually narrowed. Soon we reached a district marked by green banners. According to Dokgo Rin, this was Tang Family Village, the clan settlement where all the residents bore the Tang surname. Seeing so many people sharing the same family name really drove home just how powerful the Sichuan Tang Clan truly was.
After walking ahead for some time, Dokgo Rin finally stopped before an enormous mansion enclosed by high walls.
"So this is the Sichuan Tang Clan…."
I swallowed nervously as I looked up at the large nameplate hanging on the main gate. Dokgo Rin, standing beside me, told me there was no need to be so tense and casually knocked on the door without any prior announcement.
Thud! Thud!
Before long, we heard movement from beyond the gate.
"Who is it at this late hour?"
The man who appeared was clearly a servant. Dokgo Rin spoke to him with absolute confidence.
"I am Dokgo Rin, daughter of Tang Mi-ryeong who married into the Dokgo Clan. I've come to see my maternal grandfather."
"Huh??"
The servant's face went blank, as if his brain had momentarily shut down. Honestly, I would have reacted the same way. A young lady from a prestigious clan showing up alone at this hour, without any escorts except for me? But realizing this was beyond his authority, the servant said he would fetch someone who could verify her identity and hurriedly ran back inside.
"Hmm, he didn't recognize my face. He must be a new servant."
"You said yourself that the last time you visited was four or five years ago. Of course he wouldn't recognize you."
When I sighed and pointed that out, Dokgo Rin finally made an expression of realization. After a short wait, the male servant returned with a girl who appeared to be around the same age as Dokgo Rin.
"What? It really is Dokgo Rin?"
The girl, whose hair was styled in two round buns on either side of her head, looked genuinely shocked. Since they clearly knew each other, Dokgo Rin extended her right hand.
"It's been a long time, Tang Soso."
The girl stared at the offered hand for a moment before accepting the handshake with a somewhat reluctant expression.
"Yeah… long time no see."
I watched the two of them greet each other, then asked out of curiosity, "Miss, what exactly is your relationship?"
Dokgo Rin answered as if it were no big deal. "We're cousins."
Cousins? I studied the girl named Tang Soso more carefully. They did share similar facial features. If Dokgo Rin had the sharp, ice-cold beauty of a frigid beauty, Tang Soso's slightly drooping eyes gave her the air of a delicate, timid beauty raised in seclusion. Of course, when it came to chest size, she was an overwhelmingly inferior version of Dokgo Rin.
As I made that mental assessment, Tang Soso spoke with clear discomfort. "What are you staring at, you rude white-haired bastard?"
She must have noticed my gaze flicking toward her chest for a split second. While I was wondering how to explain myself, Dokgo Rin answered for me.
"This is Chilbok. He's my beloved."
"What?"
Tang Soso looked me up and down with an expression of utter disbelief, mirroring exactly what I had done to her earlier. Then she spoke in a tone dripping with disdain.
"Even the great Dokgo Rin has fallen so far! To think someone like this is your beloved! His face is somewhat decent, but his clothes are way too shabby!"
Oh, so even while looking down on me, she still complimented my looks. I was secretly feeling pleased at being called handsome when Dokgo Rin, upon hearing her words, asked in a deadly serious tone, "What did you just say? 'Someone like this'?"
The killing intent radiating from her was no joke. Tang Soso, who had made the disparaging remark without thinking, began trembling violently.
"S-sorry! I didn't really mean it!"
That apology came fast! I had no idea why she had acted so tough if she was going to fold this quickly, but Tang Soso gave off an overwhelmingly pathetic aura as she glanced nervously at Dokgo Rin.
"You're… not mad, right?"
Dokgo Rin seemed to have regained her composure. She shook her head. "I'm not mad."
"…That's a relief."
Tang Soso let out a genuine sigh of relief, patting her small chest. Even though they were cousins, it was painfully obvious who held the higher position between them.
"Anyway, I'd like to see my grandfather. Is he home right now?"
"Uh, yeah. Grandfather should be at the training ground."
"Lead the way."
"What? Me?"
"Do you not want to?"
"N-no! I'll guide you myself!"
When their eyes met, Tang Soso immediately looked down with an expression that screamed Oh no, she's scary! Her first impression hadn't been like this, but the more I saw, the more pathetic she seemed.
Thanks to Tang Soso verifying our identities, we entered the Sichuan Tang Clan without issue and headed for the training ground to meet Dokgo Rin's maternal grandfather, the sixth head of the Sichuan Tang Clan, Tang Ho-chang.
When people imagine an old martial artist, they usually picture a slender frame with a long white beard and an immortal-like presence. The former head of the Dokgo Clan, Dokgo Jin, had fit that image, as had Jegal Gyun whom we met in Chang'an. However, the Tang Ho-chang we encountered at the training ground was the complete opposite.
Overwhelming muscle. Even if Dokgo Rin's grandfather was at least in his sixties, his taut muscles and bear-like physique evoked the image of a warrior rather than a sage. I wondered if he would have a good match against Jegal Geondam if they ever met.
The muscular elder was relentlessly pounding what appeared to be a training log with his fists. When he sensed our presence behind him, he asked without even turning his head.
"Who is it?"
Tang Soso flinched and spoke up. "G-Grandfather? We have guests…."
"Didn't I tell you not to let anyone into the training ground while I'm here?"
This time it wasn't Tang Soso who answered, but Dokgo Rin.
"I asked Soso to let us in, Grandfather."
The stern expression on Tang Ho-chang's face instantly melted away.
"Rin-ah♡"
He transformed into a complete doting fool, spreading both arms wide as he rushed toward Dokgo Rin.